Factors Associated with Having both Male and Female Recent Sexual Partnerships Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Harare and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

AbstractTo better understand male and female sexual partnerships among men who have sex with men (MSM), we used data from a 2019 biobehavioral survey among MSM in Harare and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe to conduct bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression to determine whether sociodemographic characteristics and HIV-related factors were associated with having both male and female sexual partnerships within the last 6 months. Of included MSM (N = 1143), 31% reported both male and female partnerships in the last 6 months. Being married/cohabiting (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 8.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.92–14.95) or separated/divorced/widowed (aOR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.24–3.08) vs. being single, and hazardous alcohol consumption (aOR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.19–2.09) were associated with higher odds of having both male and female recent partnerships. Being aged 35 + vs. 18–24 (aOR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.31–0.81), condomless receptive anal intercourse at last sex with the main male partner (aOR  = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.26–0.74), and positive HIV status (aOR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.31–0.67) were associated with lower odds of recent male and female partnerships. MSM in Harare who reported harassment/abuse (aOR = 3.16, 95% CI = 1.72–5.79) had higher odds of both male and f emale partnerships than MSM in Bulawayo reporting harassment/abuse. The prevalence of both male and female recent partnerships (31%) was lower amo...
Source: AIDS and Behavior - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research